Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the introduction of a postcode system and the consideration, if any, given by him to the fact that ESB Networks already has a unique identifier for each address in the country by virtue of the MPRN used for electricity supply; if he has investigated the possibility of this system being used to assist in the introduction of a cost-efficient postcode arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5175/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Ireland is the only country in the EU and OECD which does not have a national postcode system. The Department is currently engaged in the procurement process to appoint a postcode management licence holder. Under procurement rules it is not open to the Department to unilaterally select a particular service provider in this regard.

The procurement is seeking to appoint a supplier to fulfil the role of Postcode Management Licence Holder who will be responsible for establishing, operating and maintaining the Irish National Postcode System. The framework for the postcode system is the 6 digit alpha numeric model, publicly available and accessible model as recommended by the National Postcode Project Board in 2006. The model will be capable of being further refined into a location-based code.

The Report of the National Postcode Project Board deals with the selection of a National Postcode System. It is available on my Department's website www.dcenr.ie.